The charges accuse the district, the Grand Rapids Education Association and Michigan Education Association of violating her rights under the state's right-to-work law.

Lapham, who has taught at Lincoln Developmental Center for 11 years, and her union entered into a collective bargaining agreement with the district in March 2013. In August of that year, the union and Grand Rapids Public Schools entered into a letter of agreement amending a clause regarding dues and fees to state that an employee's failure to pay is grounds for termination from the district, according to the charges.

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation argues that contracts or amendments made after the law went into effect on March 28, 2013, must respect workers’ right to refrain from paying dues or fees.

Lapham on Jan. 31 submitted a letter of resignation to the union and requested to pay a reduced fee covering only her costs of collective bargaining, contract administration and grievance adjustment. She also requested a financial breakdown of her fees and dues, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Chicago Teachers Union v. Hudson that a union must explain the purposes of any fees it collects from nonmembers.

Lapham has not paid dues since she submitted her letter of resignation and has not received the notice explaining the fees, the charges state.

The charges claim Lapham received an email response from the union threatening to send her to a collection agency for unpaid dues, and that MEA union officials refused to honor Lapham’s resignation because it wasn't submitted during a one-month opt-out period in August.

Grand Rapids Education Association President Paul Helder said Lapham made a deliberate decision to become a member and signed a membership contract promising she would pay her annual dues.

"She received voting rights, a $1,000,000 professional liability insurance policy and other privileges. Now after receiving these services, she thinks she shouldn't have to uphold her end of the contract by paying her bill?" he said in a statement.

Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Foundation, in a statement said union officials are "pulling out all the stops" to prevent workers from exercising their rights under the state's right to work law.

Two teachers who challenged the MEA's withdrawal policy last fall were recently allowed to leave the union. Coopersville teacher Miriam Chanski and Petoskey teacher William Arthur claimed they were unaware of policy only allowing teachers to opt out of the union in August of each year.

Angie Jackson covers public safety and breaking news for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email her at ajackso3@mlive.com, and follow her on Twitter.